General Discussion

beerandjesus

(1,301 posts)

148. Indeed, there is a big difference

Thu Sep 5, 2013, 06:19 PM

Sep 2013

Currently, Assad is killing people. The United States is not. A few cruise missiles would change that.

If I were Obama, I wouldn't have drawn the "red line" in the first place, but if I were in his position right now, I would stay the hell out. I would not kill people out of concern for my "credibility", and I'd be man enough to take my lumps publicly for backing down. To me, that's a much more important principle than this ephemeral (and largely imagined) "credibility".

Just out of curiosity, if the Syrian rebels dropped bombs on your family, would it make a difference to you if they had done it "unintentionally"? It's incredible to me that some people on here actually seem to believe that the Syrians will watch the carnage on al-Jazeera and think, "oh, well, they mean well....!"

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I don't give a shit about Rand Paul, or Obama's political standing, or House GOP motivations. [View all] WilliamPitt Sep 2013 OP

Bet you are a "Putin Lover" too, eh? LOL Purveyor Sep 2013 #1

It's unreal, isn't it? The transformation into Bushbots is complete. Marr Sep 2013 #36

We have entered strange, new territory. Hell Hath No Fury Sep 2013 #45

It is unreal. City Lights Sep 2013 #52

What's even more unreal is that they don't see themselves as using that type of thinking. SammyWinstonJack Sep 2013 #95

Very true. City Lights Sep 2013 #108

The upside is it is a small group of people but they are loud and Mojorabbit Sep 2013 #159

I felt it coming . . . aggiesal Sep 2013 #59

Could it be... cynzke Sep 2013 #73

and it helps further empty out politics: bystanders can mumble "now the left and right are the same" MisterP Sep 2013 #74

+1 leftstreet Sep 2013 #87

So true MissDeeds Sep 2013 #126

This may transform DU in a way.. 7962 Sep 2013 #175

i think it is actually worse when we do it SwampG8r Sep 2013 #191

Unfortunately there is a substantial group on here that will never see it. cui bono Sep 2013 #195

It's like they are mesmerized or something. Oh, wait. 9/11. The end. nt silvershadow Sep 2013 #136

You were right about the belligerent, lockstepping. TheKentuckian Sep 2013 #213

Putin, but Nevermind China - Our "Trading Partner," Who Backs Putin HumansAndResources Sep 2013 #171

bush wanted to do this to syria. if this were bush, there would be marches roguevalley Sep 2013 #193

+1. Excellently put. badtoworse Sep 2013 #2

You're making Obama's Ardent Supporters™ cry leftstreet Sep 2013 #3

The are practically hemorrhaging gallons of tears through their eyes as I write this. R. Daneel Olivaw Sep 2013 #12

Thank you. I feel like I'm in a surreal dream. K&R myrna minx Sep 2013 #4

I'm a big supporter of President Obama, but not on everything. THIS is one of those things kestrel91316 Sep 2013 #5

Ditto fadedrose Sep 2013 #16

All of these 'bright' men can surely come up with a different solution than sinkingfeeling Sep 2013 #6

Amen to that jsr Sep 2013 #7

The war supporters are treating this like it is some sort of football game n/t n2doc Sep 2013 #8

And that truly disgusts me. NuclearDem Sep 2013 #29

I hate when people just blindly root for their home team. Fantastic Anarchist Sep 2013 #49

+1 million. Syria's already a clusterfuck and it's far from clear that the U.S. winter is coming Sep 2013 #58

That is what Republicans and Conservatives do. RC Sep 2013 #76

Thank you. nt wandy Sep 2013 #9

rec! SammyWinstonJack Sep 2013 #10

Well put. cthulu2016 Sep 2013 #11

Thanks. WilliamPitt Sep 2013 #13

LOL! There is precedent for that. badtoworse Sep 2013 #15

Hhmm... avaistheone1 Sep 2013 #21

But Will RobertEarl Sep 2013 #14

If they laugh, bomb them. jsr Sep 2013 #19

Exactly. n/t crim son Sep 2013 #24

Ha AnotherMcIntosh Sep 2013 #25

Well said. I heartily agree. Demit Sep 2013 #17

Thanks man whatchamacallit Sep 2013 #18

I was just about to post almost exactly the same thing. cali Sep 2013 #20

Spot. Fucking. On. n/t cherokeeprogressive Sep 2013 #22

When's Obama's next Catfood Commission coming up? blkmusclmachine Sep 2013 #23

k&r. Thanks, William. nt antigop Sep 2013 #26

Spot On Wolf Frankula Sep 2013 #27

Why doesn't PBO care about looking tough with America's REAL enemies - the Rethugs??? chimpymustgo Sep 2013 #88

It's already started QuestForSense Sep 2013 #89

Thank you for that! lark Sep 2013 #28

And over the top hyperbole is clearly not solely a right-wing phenomenon either. JoePhilly Sep 2013 #30

^^^ Irony ^^^ WilliamPitt Sep 2013 #34

Would be true ... if I was know on DU for endless OPs with over the top hyperbole. JoePhilly Sep 2013 #37

I picture one of those Strong Man machines at circuses Whisp Sep 2013 #65

lol, no kidding. Marr Sep 2013 #38

The phrase 'you're wrong and you're boring made me think of you. Specifically. Bluenorthwest Sep 2013 #93

Pretty much consistently. Puglover Sep 2013 #131

+oo phantom power Sep 2013 #31

I knew it was a mistake when Obama, Kerry, and Bob started taking that damn supplement. Dragonfli Sep 2013 #32

Pfffttt! Enthusiast Sep 2013 #110

THANK YOU Skittles Sep 2013 #33

the "strange bedfellows" thing is the least surprising stupidicus Sep 2013 #35

Your middle sentence captures the reality most in this thread seem to miss. JoePhilly Sep 2013 #42

wow, you mean those falsely charged with BS stupidicus Sep 2013 #46

it's gone past annoying and is now just plain sad Skittles Sep 2013 #78

It is simply the wrong thing to do to murder more people. We have no cause to be part of it. Ford_Prefect Sep 2013 #39

Obama Foolish? HumansAndResources Sep 2013 #172

There's always more (borrowed) money for war FlyByNight Sep 2013 #40

Do you mean borrowed blue14u Sep 2013 #152

Of Course Hillary Supports the War - DLC = RNC = CFR = USCOC on Foreign Policy and Trade HumansAndResources Sep 2013 #183

Thank you HAR for the info blue14u Sep 2013 #196

This shouldn't bother anyone. ocpagu Sep 2013 #41

Amen, brother Will.... WCGreen Sep 2013 #43

K&R with a bit of sadness...... marmar Sep 2013 #44

The Cult of Personality ... Fantastic Anarchist Sep 2013 #47

Most people don't have the ability/knowledge OnyxCollie Sep 2013 #53

Very well expressed. Fantastic Anarchist Sep 2013 #98

Hey! This isn't Libertarian Leftist Underground! beerandjesus Sep 2013 #79

I see what you did there! Fantastic Anarchist Sep 2013 #99

I was just informed by that special someone that it's gunning for you and all Anarchists Dragonfli Sep 2013 #151

LMAO ... Fantastic Anarchist Sep 2013 #155

It has been quite obviously no friend of the left since it first developed limbs and crawled Dragonfli Sep 2013 #156

Yes, you have been flagged for safe passage. Fantastic Anarchist Sep 2013 #160

I just acquired my PHD in Philosophy, want to read my dissertation? Dragonfli Sep 2013 #162

I saw that. Fantastic Anarchist Sep 2013 #163

I had no trouble following any of your posts or arguments... well.. Dragonfli Sep 2013 #164

I think the Marx and Jesus thing through it off. Fantastic Anarchist Sep 2013 #167

I agree, but it was not hard to understand, it just seems easily thrown Dragonfli Sep 2013 #169

Bob Altemeyer talks a bit about that his book in The Authoritarians. Marr Sep 2013 #214

Correct. Fantastic Anarchist Sep 2013 #215

Hey, I'm glad the GOP are mostly opposing Obama on this Ocelot Sep 2013 #48

Hey, I'm glad.... frog64 Sep 2013 #204

"World Corut"? Ocelot Sep 2013 #205

world corut frog64 Sep 2013 #222

Being raised in a (generally) scientific family, I try to see each issue on a level plane and... BlueJazz Sep 2013 #50

Thank you, Will! City Lights Sep 2013 #51

K&R. nt OnyxCollie Sep 2013 #54

"You're wrong, and you're boring." Oh snap! tblue Sep 2013 #55

Bingo - K&R n/t DeSwiss Sep 2013 #56

K & R (n/t) bread_and_roses Sep 2013 #57

Had to log in just to say a-fucking-men! MindPilot Sep 2013 #60

$$$$$$ WAR PROFIT INC. SammyWinstonJack Sep 2013 #100

This SO needed to be said. woo me with science Sep 2013 #61

Agree. n/t onyourleft Sep 2013 #62

K&R. (nt) Paladin Sep 2013 #63

I've been involved in some of the stupidest conversations of my life... RevStPatrick Sep 2013 #64

what's hilarious is they will speak of "Obama Derangement Syndrome" Skittles Sep 2013 #83

Be careful how you phrase that MNBrewer Sep 2013 #235

it's a crap shoot, MN Skittles Sep 2013 #236

Clearly stated. WHEN CRABS ROAR Sep 2013 #66

Of course you are right. But for the sake of the partisans among us, it's worth noting totodeinhere Sep 2013 #67

"I was not born with that particular gene" Union Scribe Sep 2013 #68

Genetic for some, woo me with science Sep 2013 #146

. HooptieWagon Sep 2013 #179

I'm never first in line felix_numinous Sep 2013 #69

Amen WCGreen Sep 2013 #70

Qadima tried to start a war to "keep the warmongers out of office" too MisterP Sep 2013 #71

K&R for critical thinking Blue Owl Sep 2013 #72

Part of the descent of civilization into madness. malthaussen Sep 2013 #75

Well said and thank you! truebluegreen Sep 2013 #77

Thank you, Will markpkessinger Sep 2013 #80

there is no right or wrong answer think_critically Sep 2013 #81

Wow. WilliamPitt Sep 2013 #85

a couple of cruise missiles will cause all of this? think_critically Sep 2013 #97

The anti-war crowd is "fear mongering plain and simple"? beerandjesus Sep 2013 #101

absolutely think_critically Sep 2013 #105

Funny, I thought it was the pro-war guys who kept calling Assad "Hitler". beerandjesus Sep 2013 #107

not true think_critically Sep 2013 #109

The same way -- Hell Hath No Fury Sep 2013 #113

First of all, you make my central point for me. beerandjesus Sep 2013 #118

big difference think_critically Sep 2013 #130

this is silly: innocents will die for the US's so-called "credibility" noiretextatique Sep 2013 #134

Indeed, there is a big difference beerandjesus Sep 2013 #148

Credibility, really? Blanks Sep 2013 #147

Nice to be "Fair" - But Better to Know the Facts HumansAndResources Sep 2013 #186

a couple of cruise missiles? frylock Sep 2013 #120

thank you! noiretextatique Sep 2013 #135

And you think a couple pecwae Sep 2013 #138

Uh yeah, that is a distinct possibility. Warren Stupidity Sep 2013 #165

Iran won't risk their country? Jeff In Milwaukee Sep 2013 #212

I haven't seen such casual disregard for military force since the Bush years. Congratulations. Marr Sep 2013 #217

this is what I'm talking about think_critically Sep 2013 #219

Your thinking on this is just Bizzarro-World, from top to bottom. Now you're saying Al Qaeda Marr Sep 2013 #220

"If you let a dictator use chemical weapons nearly a dozen times" kath Sep 2013 #157

and i bet you all support this guy and his wife think_critically Sep 2013 #216

"You're wrong, we're right. Period, end of file." iamthebandfanman Sep 2013 #82

I have to agree this is what the president decided to spend his political capital on Arcanetrance Sep 2013 #84

Well spoken DissidentVoice Sep 2013 #86

Thumbs up! blackspade Sep 2013 #90

Damn Good Post n/t fredamae Sep 2013 #91

k/r - shout it loud. 840high Sep 2013 #92

So sick of these lame attempts attempts to manipulate people. We need everyone we can get on sabrina 1 Sep 2013 #94

Convinced anyone with an opposing view to change their minds lately? pkdu Sep 2013 #187

Yes, I have actually. How about you? And I didn't have to attack them, all I had to do was to sabrina 1 Sep 2013 #190

Excellent post, thank you WilliamPitt. Scuba Sep 2013 #96

I am a ardent supporter of President Obama BUT tartan2 Sep 2013 #102

France Supports Re-Colonization By the "rebel" Terrorist-Proxy-Army, England's Paliament Voted 'No' HumansAndResources Sep 2013 #188

It's like I've said with the difference between Democrats and Republicans.... Spitfire of ATJ Sep 2013 #103

Will, I really believe that Obama doesn't want to strike Syria and he knows the more he appears to kelliekat44 Sep 2013 #104

When someone actually uses one of those lines of reasoning. sendero Sep 2013 #106

Thank you! 20score Sep 2013 #111

+ 1,000,000,000... What You Said !!! - K & R !!! WillyT Sep 2013 #112

My first thread of the day... WorseBeforeBetter Sep 2013 #114

omg your rant sounds just like Hunter B.S. Thompson! Whisp Sep 2013 #115

"If Mr. Obama didn't want his balls in this particular vise, he should not have dangled them there." ProSense Sep 2013 #116

Where do you stand on this? WilliamPitt Sep 2013 #117

I initially stated ProSense Sep 2013 #124

Thanks for answering. n/t WilliamPitt Sep 2013 #125

It was a careful non-answer. Warren Stupidity Sep 2013 #166

Pro-Sense has likely not yet made up her mind ConservativeDemocrat Sep 2013 #182

You forgot the sarcasm smiley. Warren Stupidity Sep 2013 #199

Pointing out facts that contradict a partisan loon's slanted mindset isn't an insult ConservativeDemocrat Sep 2013 #211

You tell it like it is!! K&R n/t Duval Sep 2013 #119

Well said. moonlady0623 Sep 2013 #121

Recommended. There are times you are at your best. That time is now. Autumn Sep 2013 #122

Best. Post. Ever. Ishoutandscream2 Sep 2013 #123

Well said MissDeeds Sep 2013 #127

Many of us were not born with that particular gene. k&r Little Star Sep 2013 #128

+one fugging million malaise Sep 2013 #129

Bravo!! Liberal_Dog Sep 2013 #132

K&R idwiyo Sep 2013 #133

You really want to destroy the president's credibility? golfguru Sep 2013 #137

I wondered whose fault it was that Obama's credibility has taken a hit. DisgustipatedinCA Sep 2013 #139

*wipes off keyboard and screen* WilliamPitt Sep 2013 #141

You want to watch us christx30 Sep 2013 #184

K&R forestpath Sep 2013 #140

K and freaking R!!!! Well said. ~eom 99th_Monkey Sep 2013 #142

god, no lockstep with you heaven05 Sep 2013 #143

1913. WilliamPitt Sep 2013 #144

I shall, thanks heaven05 Sep 2013 #145

Mosaddegh and Boehner must be related golfguru Sep 2013 #153

While I won't make any such accusations... Adrahil Sep 2013 #149

Who is telling you you're with Rand Paul? creeksneakers2 Sep 2013 #150

You apparently missed this gem from yesterday: scarletwoman Sep 2013 #176

Yes, I didn't see that one creeksneakers2 Sep 2013 #221

+1000% - My sentiment exactly! -- n/t mazzarro Sep 2013 #154

I bet at the end of the day LostOne4Ever Sep 2013 #158

Preach It! paulbibeau Sep 2013 #161

"You're wrong, we're right. Period, end of file" YES Agony Sep 2013 #168

Will, you just accused us of the same thing you asked us jazzimov Sep 2013 #170

Which Targets? Assad's or Al Qaeda's ?? HumansAndResources Sep 2013 #180

Thank you. n/t Triana Sep 2013 #173

Like a broken clock The Wizard Sep 2013 #174

K&R MotherPetrie Sep 2013 #177

I harbor the same thoughts gopiscrap Sep 2013 #178

I, generally, respect ... 1StrongBlackMan Sep 2013 #181

Your respectful reply is unwarranted. great white snark Sep 2013 #201

Talk about strange bedfellows ... today I found myself BlueMTexpat Sep 2013 #185

Agreed. donheld Sep 2013 #189

This message was self-deleted by its author Summer Hathaway Sep 2013 #192

But the president asking for congress' approval was a brilliant move! cui bono Sep 2013 #194

It's just getting started WP florida08 Sep 2013 #197

Thanks WilliamPitt orenbus Sep 2013 #198

+1000. K&R. Agreed. Pathetic and desperate arguments. GoneFishin Sep 2013 #200

K&R Zavulon Sep 2013 #202

Huge K&R NorthCarolina Sep 2013 #203

If only this flash of common sense could be applied to other topics. krispos42 Sep 2013 #206

But how are we going to fight a war on terror if we don't create more terrorists? av8rdave Sep 2013 #207

Balls in vise? nolabels Sep 2013 #208

Great post Oilwellian Sep 2013 #209

Someone needs to write a satire: The Democatic Guide to being a Good German Coyotl Sep 2013 #210

Thankfully Will it is a small group of Left haters. Rex Sep 2013 #218

Kick. I want this to stay on top. nt woo me with science Sep 2013 #223

Keep in mind, George Bush set this all up, so it's a no-win situation for any president Mellow Drama Sep 2013 #224

''You're wrong, and you're boring.'' Whisp Sep 2013 #225

How can you not support the President? SomethingFishy Sep 2013 #226

Yup. It's the Call to Stupid. woo me with science Sep 2013 #227

Logical fallacy that fuels propaganda or a straw man. Cleita Sep 2013 #229

But thinking is sooooo hard. "We're good, they're evil" is so much easier. Scuba Sep 2013 #230

You are so right on the money. I wish I could avebury Sep 2013 #231

You nailed it. avaistheone1 Sep 2013 #233

+1 OnyxCollie Sep 2013 #234

k&r Electric Monk Sep 2013 #237

Boring and bored. gordianot Sep 2013 #228

K&R! nt Poll_Blind Sep 2013 #232

kick for the 'wrong and boring' OP. Whisp Sep 2013 #238

HEY! Thanks for saying what needs to be said! Agony Sep 2013 #239

Your derision of Obama and how he manages foreign policy is duly noted Pretzel_Warrior Sep 2013 #240

Recommend! After some ugly stuff today...Think this needs a Re-Visit! KoKo Sep 2013 #241